‘Countdown begins’: India start preparation for home Test series in Chennai

Rohit Sharma’s side has returned to business following its much-deserved month-long break, as India began the preparations for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh under head coach Gautam Gambhir in Chennai on Friday.

With the first Test against Bangladesh scheduled from September 19, the entire squad, including Rohit and Virat Kohli, assembled at the MA Chidambaram Stadium with new bowling coach, South African great Morne Morkel, and assitant coach Abhishek Nayar also in attendance.

BCCI posted images of the first day of practice and wrote, “The countdown starts as Team India begin their preps for an exciting home season.” The images showed the entire squad listening attentively to Gambhir, his support staff and skipper Rohit.

Earlier, India skipper Rohit arrived in Chennai on Thursday, while Virat flew in directly from London for the opening Test.
Wearing a yellow jersey, Rohit was seen emerging from the airport escorted by security personnel, in a PTI Video on Thursday night, while Kohli came from London on an early-morning flight.

The countdown starts as #TeamIndia begin their preps for an exciting home season.#INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/VlIvau5AfD

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 13, 2024

The likes of India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant had earlier reached the city on Thursday.

This will be India’s first Test under Gambhir and his new support staff, and it would be interesting to see how Rohit’s side approaches the game against a Bangladesh side, which is riding a wave following their 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan.

Vital World Test Championship (WTC) points are at stake in the two-match series as India get ready for a a gruelling 10-match Test season, which also includes a three-Test series at home against New Zealand and the five-match Border-Gavaskar series later this year in Australia.

India are currently heading the table with 68.52 percentage points, while Australia are a close second with 62.50 percentage points.
Bangladesh have jumped to fourth spot with 45.83 percentage points following their 10-wicket win against Pakistan in the opening Test and their amazing fight-back in the second Test where wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das scored a century to singlehandedly guide the side to a series triumph.

The second Test of the India-Bangladesh series will be played in Kanpur from September 27.

– With PTI inputs

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